A/N: This story has been sitting on my thumb drive for awhile now and I just got around to finishing it. Yay! I feel accomplished. Hope you enjoy.
"She died saving my life"
"That's my girl; always doing something stupid." Xander looked down at the gold ring on his finger. "Like marrying me."
One year ago…
"I take you Xander, to be my lawfully wedded husband. I will cherish you and hold you and obey…well, not obey, because that would be stupid and submissive, but…I…I promise to be yours and to love you and take care of you and…"
Tara smiled, watching Anya as she practiced her wedding vows; the ceremony was only hours away and Tara could tell by the look on Anya's face that this would be the happiest day of her life. She snapped out of her musings as Anya walked over to her.
"Can I see Xander now?"
Tara smiled. "It's bad luck to see the groom before the wedding."
"Why do I have to wait? I've seen him naked already; I've slept with him; I've made…sweet love to him."
Tara chuckled slightly. "I know you have; it's—it's just a wedding tradition."
Anya groaned. "Damn these human wedding traditions!" Tara chuckled as Anya walked back over to the mirror. "I Anya, take you Xander, to be my lawfully…no, that's not right. Let's try again. I Anya, take you Xander, to be my loving husband. Forever." She grinned. "There…that sounds right."
"How am I doing Buff? Do I look okay? I mean, really, this tux is just a little tight, don't you think?"
Buffy smiled. "You're fine Xander. You look very handsome." She walked around him, making sure nothing was missing. "Looks like everything is ready." She walked back, studying him. "Except for the bowtie."
"I'll take care of that." Willow walked into the room, grinning. "It is the best man's job after all." She walked over, reaching for the tie, but was stopped short as Xander wrapped her and Buffy in a tight bear hug.
"Oh, my two favorite girls." Xander looked from one to the other, giving each of his friends a soft kiss on the tops of their heads. "Guys, I'm not sure I'm ready for this."
"You'll be fine, Buffy assured.
"Yeah. I mean, look at you, you look good in a tux. Except for the bowtie, of course. Here." Willow broke away from the embrace, tying the bowtie expertly. "There, now the look is complete."
Buffy pulled away from the embrace, giving Xander a quick peck on the cheek. "I'm going to go check on the guests; see you guys at the ceremony."
Xander watched her walk out of the room, before turning back to Willow. "So, I look good in a tux huh?" He smirked. "You're not thinking of cheating on Tara, are you? Because you know, you two aren't together anymore…"
Willow gave him an amused look. "Xander…"
Xander chuckled. "I'm kidding Will. I know how much Tara means to you." His look softened at the tears in Willow's eyes. "Willow, I'm sorry."
Willow wiped the tears away hastily. "Oh, it's-it's no big deal. I'm fine." She smiled. "But you know, if I wasn't gay…I mean…"
"You and me in formal wear could be a little dangerous." Xander finished the thought, chuckling at the memory.
"Yep. Trouble all the way. Now, let's get you married."
Willow walked out of the room, heading down the hallway toward the church. She stopped as Anya and Tara walked out of another room. Anya walked over to her.
"Is Xander ready? I mean, he's not going to walk out on me, is he? Because, you know, that would be bad."
Willow smiled. "Don't worry, he's ready."
"Good. Good. Very well, then."
Willow went to walk away, then turned. She put a hand on Anya's shoulder. "Anya, can I tell you something?"
"Sure Willow."
"Now, I love Xander very much. Not as much as you do of course, but let me just say this: if you break his heart, I will beat you to death with a shovel."
Anya started, slightly taken aback. "You're…you're not serious?"
"Oh, am I?" Willow smirked, turning on her heel and walking away.
Anya turned to Tara, her eyes wide. "She can't possibly be serious! I mean, I love Xander! I would never hurt him! I mean, I might yell at him for being stupid, but that's a completely different thing!" She paused. "It is a different thing, isn't it?"
Tara smiled gently. "Yes, it is a different thing. You have nothing to worry about. Now come on, the ceremony's about to start."
"I don't think I'm ready for this. Aren't there any, you know, vampires that need to be dusted? Demons that need to be beheaded?" Xander laughed nervously.
"Nope. Took the night off. This is more important." Buffy smiled gently. "Besides, this is your night Xander."
"But, what if I can't do it Buffy? I mean, Anya, what does she see in me? I mean…not that I'm having any last minute doubts or anything, but…why me?"
"Because you are a wonderful, handsome man."
"Be serious Buff. The morale boosting isn't exactly helping here."
"Okay. Fine. You wanna know why she chose you? She chose you because she loves you Xander; that's a wonderful thing. I know you're scared now, but…think about it; can you imagine your life without her? Can you remember your life before her?"
Xander paused, considering the question. "No. I guess I can't."
"See. You and Anya are meant for each other; you'll become one. And you'll share a life together and do things together and…you'll hold each other when the nights are long…and cold." She paused. "And lonely…"
"Buffy?" Xander snapped his fingers in front of her face.
"Huh?"
"You were…uh…distracted. Are you alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"Are ya sure?"
"Absolutely! Now…let's get you to the altar."
"I can't do this! I can't do this! What if he walks out on me? Leaves me standing at the altar? There aren't any bunnies around, are there?"
Tara cocked an eyebrow. "Bunnies?"
"Yeah. Last time something big happened, it was the apocalypse last year. I saw a stuffed bunny. It was an omen, warning me that we were all going to die."
Tara fought back an amused grin. "I think you're safe Anya; I haven't seen one bunny today. Besides, you didn't die last year."
"But I could have!"
Tara chuckled softly. "You're fine Anya. Now come on, there's the door. Hear the music inside? Pretty soon, the doors will open. When they do, I'll walk in ahead of you. Then, when the wedding march starts to play, that's your cue. Can you do that?"
"Stop talking to me like I'm a child; of course I can do that! I am a former vengeance demon, after all."
Tara laughed. "Alright." She paused outside the door, listening. "Okay, there's my cue. See you soon." Tara pushed through the doorway, walking down the aisle. She looked at all the people turned out for the event; Xander's family; Anya's family; Buffy…Willow…she stole a glance at Willow as she walked up to stand beside Buffy. Willow grinned, causing Tara to blush.
"I Anya, take you Xander to be my loving husband. I Anya, take you Xander to be my loving husband." Anya jumped, startled out of her reverie as the door to the vestibule opened. "Well, here goes." She took a deep breath, gathered her bouquet in her hands and headed down the aisle.
She looked around at all the people; there was Halfreck, Clem, Xander's family…she wrinkled her nose as she passed one of Xander's family members; the man had obviously started drinking already.
I Anya, take you Xander, to be my loving husband. Is he even standing up there? She gulped, willing herself to look up. What she saw surprised her, warming her all over; there was Xander, standing proudly at the altar, looking handsome as ever in his black tux. She smiled at the loving look in his eyes.
Xander grinned as Anya walked up the steps, coming to stand in front of him. "You ready for this? He whispered.
"Yes."
He smiled. "Good. Me too."
The preacher stood in front of the couple, a black book open in his hand. "Dearly beloved, we gather here today…."
Buffy watched Xander and Anya as they exchanged their vows. She had never seen Xander look so happy; he positively glowed. She smiled, looking out over the crowd. Her eyes followed along the rows of people, stopping every so often to land on a few familiar faces that she had known from school. Her eyes hit the back wall, stopping at the door; they went wide as a familiar figure slowly opened the door, quietly sitting in the back. Oh my god…
